Korea’s kogo is the ultimate French-fry-encrusted corn dog

Everyone loves a good corn dog. From freezer burned to deliciously golden brown in about 30 minutes in the oven, it’s the all-American snack for both kids and adults. Japan has its own version of this classic, known simply as the “American dog”, but instead of a corn-based batter it uses a wheat-based one. Many argue over the superiority of corn vs. wheat, but the fighting is about to end, because Korea has swooped in with its own version and it is mighty impressive. Introducing the Kogo!

The Kogo isn’t anew viral food that is only making waves recently, but actually a staple of Korean street-meat society. You may want to pack your bags and be ready to board a plane for Korea once you’ve seen a picture of one up close. We warned you…

You might be thinking one of two things right now. Either A) “oh, that old thing”, or B) “what on earth is that?” For those who fall into category B, let us first explain the wonder that is the Kogo. Called a Kogo or Potato Dog, it’s a hot dog on a stick that is coated in tiny pieces of fried potato. French fries around your hot dog? Sounds like a dream come true! If you’ve ever wanted a little more oomph to the flavor profile of a corn dog, then you may want to give these guys a try. Slathered in ketchup, since hey, these are potatoes, they have built up a strong following by foodies in Korea.

If you are a member of category A, you may have recognized this food from a Reddit post from three years ago. No signs of this ultimate junk food in Japan, but a lot of Japanese netizens seem to go out of their way, not to mock the Koreans for coming up with this delicious “monstrosity”, but to mock Americans, who surely love this kind of food. A quick search reveals that these heart stoppers, surprisingly, aren’t commonly found in the US, if at all. Not that there aren’t other food choices which would be equally bad for you.

Outside of Korea, it’s actually Canada that has taken up the charge of providing potato-wrapped hot dogs to the masses. The name, Kogo, comes from a popular brand of frozen corn dogs in Canada, Pogo, thus a Korean-style Pogo becomes a Kogo! You can find these “spud-dogs” at restaurants as close as Montreal.

If you’ve got a fryer at home, it doesn’t seem to be too difficult to do it yourself. In fact, many people have tried; here’s a recipe you can attempt if you are craving some homemade meat on a stick. If you happen to take a trip out to Korea, you will find more than just simple potato dogs, you will find that Korean street vendors have taken serving a hot dog on a stick into a gotta try ‘em all flavor festival!

These Korean masterpieces can be seen as early as 2007, which makes us wonder why Japan has taken this long to sit up and notice when the entire country seems to love French fries and hot dogs.

▼DIY Potato dog? Sure, why not!

Here’s hoping you will start finding these sold at festival vendors next summer, if not an exact copy of the recipe, surely with a little Japanese twist. The wieners are in your court, Japan!